Son choosing a college in next few days . MIT is probably his first choice but he has several good options. The cost is very similar to his other top choices. Other than the weather I cannot find any huge negatives to MIT. He is making this decision on his own which is the way it should be.
Compared to other schools, MIT will likely have a very different social environment. Someone who actually attends could speak more to this. It’s either a positive or a negative depending on what your S is looking for. What are his other choices?
Negatives are all relative, depending on options he has.
MIT is a lot of work. The classes go fast, and there is a lot of homework. Students who were the top of their high school class show up at MIT and discover that they are average or in some cases a bit below average. Students who never found math even remotely challenging discover that math is hard now. The work does not let up for a full 4 years. Your ECs suffer for lack of time and energy to do them.
The only time that I was ever diagnosed with high blood pressure was right after I graduated from MIT. Fortunately this subsided within a few months.
If you want to do it then you can learn a lot and graduate with a degree that is respected everywhere. However, you have to want to do it.
Duke, UVA, NC State, UF, FSU, Clemson, Alabama are other choices.
We live in North Carolina. Not sure if he wants to make the move to a big city. I think he is 85 percent sure on going.
So, realistically between Duke and MIT if money is no issue? The downside I can think of is that when it comes to subjects like math and physics there is really no place to hide. If you are not among the dozen kids on physics or math national team you will not be among the top students in those classes, as MIT collects 70% of them. It could be no fun for someone who doesn’t have a USAMO to be in an MIT math class, for example.
Substitute the name of almost any top college for MIT and the statement would still be valid.
Do not think the academics will be an issue. Aced SAT as sophomore and is very strong science student. It may be the leaving home and going to a big city is an issue . He has full ride at NC State and has 6 family members that went there. He also will run cross country and track and may want the competition at ACC school. I prefer he stay close to home but will fully embrace his decision.
For what is worth I went to Duke and I prefer NC State and UVA. Too many rich kids at Duke. If I were choosing.a school it would be UVA.
- Depends on your temperament. If you are used to being at or near the top of your class (which you would be if you were admitted to MIT) and would be depressed if you weren't, then MIT could be an issue.
- How are his study skills? They will be severely tested at MIT. Mine weren't so good in high school (everything came too easy) and it took me a while to develop them at MIT. In the mean time my grades suffered. After I got the hang of studying, I did well.
- You can still do EC's at MIT. In fact, my grades were better when I was playing varsity sports and had to set aside time for practice and games. It forced me to do a better job scheduling my time.
- Even with all the work and the early frustration, I still enjoyed the opportunity that MIT provided me.
- Weather isn't really that big a negative for most. You learn how to dress for it; layers is the best way to go, most flexible as the day progresses. Fall is beautiful.
His study skills and his discipline are his strength. Even though I will hardly see him for 4 years I hope he chooses Boston. Seems like a great opportunity .
My ex is a professor at MIT and did his grad work there.
The culture is work work work work work. Little to no life-work balance. Kids who were at the top of their class at elite private high schools suddenly find themselves getting Ds on exams on a regular basis. It is very much sink or swim.
That is how my ex describes the culture.
Some people thrive in that environment and some do not.
Again, this is not my personal view as I did not attend MIT. It is the view of my ex, and a reason he is just fine with neither of our daughters applying. He does primarily work with grad students though, and he did not attend as an undergrad. So his perspective may or may not apply to undergrad life.
Also, there is no real campus feel - it’s a bunch of buildings in Cambridge - though it is right by the Charles River and it’s an attractive urban area (I am very familiar with the campus as my daughters are there often with extracurriculars, and my health insurance is there so all my doc appointments are at MIT).
ALL THAT BEING SAID - if he is the type that dives into his academics and loves his academics with a passion, then MIT might be for him. The name definitely opens doors, and for the right personality type, it’s heaven on earth.
Thanks!
I knew MIT was stacking their X-country and track teams!
My smaller University always comes in #2 in our New England meets.
Go NC! Anything to win that meet!
For the right type of student (hard-working, very smart, loves STEM, enjoys learning) nothing beats MIT, in my opinion. However, for the kid who doesn’t have the attributes I’ve listed, it’ll probably be the hardest 4 years of his or her life.
If I had a dollar every time someone said academics won’t be a problem at MIT…lol! Seriously though, they try to kick your butt on purpose, test averages for some classes are in the 60’s, there is more work than hours in the day BUT it’s an awesome environment for challenge and opportunity. Your kid’s brain will transform before your eyes. Everyone is super passionate and the older students help the younger students. Not to sound all Dumbledore but if you need help and ask for help, you will get help. Also, there is most certainly a campus, not just a bunch of buildings. Good luck.
My dad is a serious square dancer and a retired engineer. He says the best square dances he’s ever attended are the ones in the Boston area attended by MIT students! The dancers are fun and really enjoy being creative about the mathematics of advanced square dancing.
Every part of this is frankly unfathomable to me, but it clearly suggests that there’s more to MIT than work work work.
@Torrchase Did he attend Campus Preview Weekend (CPW)? What was his impression of his future colleagues?
From CPW and doing a lot of reading about MIT it does appear that the campus culture and institutional goals have seen a shift over the past several years. The parents’ presentations at CPW emphasized this shift- adding “Heart” to “Mind and Hand”. One of MIT’s web pages states “MindHandHeart is a coalition of students, faculty, and staff with fresh insights, new ideas, and diverse perspectives working collaboratively and strategically to strengthen the fabric of our MIT community”.
On the other hand they also say “IHTFP”
IHTFP is a well-known acronym at MIT. Two options: “I Have Truly Found Paradise” or “I Hate This F***ing Place.”
MIT students may experience these two extremes during their undergraduate years.
ETA: Cross post with JimQPublic
Go to Duke so that my daughter can have some tiny chance to get off the waitlist.
There’s a good reason classes start out pass-fail these days. It’s tough and takes acclimation.
Sons friend went to MIT and it’s been a very hard but amazing journey for him. Engineering. Can’t imagine him getting to work on research projects even close to what he’s doing now without attending.
I’ve known two personal friends who attended many years ago. Brightest people I’ve ever met. One did Astro physics and the other attended Westpoint and then MIT for engineering. And they admit how difficult it was. Theyve had amazing careers but it was hard.